Thoughts, Prayers and NRA Dollars: How the Gun Lobby Supports and Opposes Members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation

Following the Valentine’s Day mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, in which former student Nikolas Cruz murdered three faculty members and 14 students with an AR-15 assault rifle, the blame game started.

President Donald Trump, in a nationally televised address, blamed “the difficult issue of mental health.” Later, when the FBI disclosed that it had received a specific tip about Cruz that agents did not follow up on, President Trump blamed federal law enforcement for being too focused on its investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election:

Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable. They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign – there is no collusion. Get back to the basics and make us all proud!

Aly Sheehy, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, took to the president’s favorite social media platform to call out his narcissism and his unwillingness to acknowledge that the current gun control laws in the United States did not prevent a troubled young man like Cruz from purchasing an assault rifle and murdering 17 defenseless people in a public school:

17 of my classmates are gone. That’s 17 futures, 17 children, and 17 friends stolen. But you’re right, it always has to be about you. How silly of me to forget. #neveragainhttps://t.co/i6Hldlo0Aq

What’s remarkable was that Sheehy was one of many Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students who have spoken up with a poise and political sophistication that betray their age. Throughout the weekend, Sheehy’s fellow students appeared on national news programs with an articulate, unified message — that elected officials, many influenced by the gun lobby, have refused to enact gun control laws that might have prevented Cruz from murdering their fellow students:

The context lost in these conversations is the vast amount of money the National Rifle Association spends for and against Florida’s Congressional delegates and how lopsided the distribution of this money has been.

In explaining this, many media organizations are counting only money that the NRA has given directly to candidates, such as this TIME story that noted only that Florida’s junior senator, Republican Marco Rubio, received $9,900 from the NRA for his re-election campaign in 2016.

What TIME and other media haven’t always noted is that the vast majority of NRA money goes to politicians from two NRA-funded political action committees (known as PACs) — National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action and National Rifle Association of America Policy Victory Fund. Through these PACs, the NRA gives money directly to individual political campaigns and spends money for or against specific candidates through “independent expenditures” under federal campaign finance laws.

The money spent through these PACs dwarfs the money the NRA, as an organization, gives directly to candidates. For example, while the NRA gave $9,900 directly to Rubio for his 2016 Senate campaign, the NRA’s two PACs gave $927,719 to Rubio’s 2010 and 2016 Senate campaigns and $4,500 to his failed 2016 presidential bid in the form of contributions and so-called independent expenditures.

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By contrast, Florida’s senior senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, has not received any contributions from the NRA — but that doesn’t mean NRA money hasn’t affected him. In 2012, when Nelson last ran for re-election, the NRA’s two PACs spent more than $600,000 in advertisements against Nelson through independent expenditures.

In Florida, as in other states, the NRA spends disproportionately more money through its PACs on Republicans than it does on Democrats. Here’s what members of Florida’s congressional delegation had to say about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting contrasted with the amount of money NRA PACs have spent for or against each elected official, based on a Florida Center for Investigative Reporting review of Federal Election Commission campaign finance data:

Republican Senator Marco Rubio

Just spoke to Broward School Superintendent. Today is that terrible day you pray never comes.

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $932,219 to Rubio’s 2010 and 2016 Senate and 2016 presidential campaigns in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

Democratic Senator Bill Nelson

Praying for everyone at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Just spoke with Broward Undersheriff to ensure they have everything they need. And just spoke to FBI to make sure all federal resources are being made available to help. Will continue to monitor closely.

Republican Representative Neal Dunn, 2nd Congressional District

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $3,000 to Dunn’s 2016 and 2018 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions.

Republican Representative Ted Yoho, 3rd Congressional District

We are excited about this project to bring a new VA Clinic to Clay County. Whether the project lands in Keystone, Middleburg, Green Cove or South Orange Park, it will be great for Clay County & incredible for our veterans. https://t.co/P56HrV1eUL

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $4,093 to Yoho’s 2012, 2014 and 2016 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate. This was his most recent tweet as we published; he has not tweeted about the high school shooting.

Republican Representative John Rutherford, 4th Congressional District

Keeping the students and their families at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in my thoughts and prayers as we await more information about the situation unfolding in Parkland.

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $1,000 to Rutherford’s 2016 House campaign in the form of direct contributions.

Democratic Representative Alfred Lawson, 5th Congressional District

“My heart breaks for the teachers & students following today’s mass shooting in #ParklandFL. Our children go to school to learn, but are now faced with these unfortunate reoccurring acts of violence. My prayers are with the Broward County community.

Heartbreaking what families at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, are going through right now. We are all praying for them and our heroic law enforcement officials as they resolve this developing situation.

Republican Representative Bill Posey, 8th Congressional District

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $13,500 to Posey’s House campaigns in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 in the form of direct contributions. This was his most recent tweet as we published; he has not tweeted about the high school shooting.

Democratic Representative Darren Soto, 9th Congressional District

Just informed of shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. I’m monitoring @browardsheriff for updates on this horrible situation. Hoping for the safety of everyone.

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $34,542 to Webster’s 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

Republican Representative Gus Bilirakis, 12th Congressional District

Today, I was honored to meet with my good friends from Hillsborough Community College. They do a wonderful job preparing students for meeting the demands of our local workforce, and I look forward to working with them and continuing to support that mission. pic.twitter.com/ntbrfYKlLI

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $16,450 to Bilirakis’ 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions. This was his most recent tweet as we published; he has not tweeted about the high school shooting.

Democratic Representative Charlie Crist, 13th Congressional District

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $9,900 to Crist’s 1998 Republican Senate campaign in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate. The PACs did not contribute to Crist’s 2016 House campaign as a Democrat or his unsuccessful 2010 Senate campaign as a Republican-turned-independent.

Democratic Representative Kathy Castor, 14th Congressional District

Sending love and support to our neighbors, students & families in #Parkland from #Tampa. I’m extremely saddened by this inexplicable, horrific act of domestic terrorism and by the fact in keeps happening without action by #Florida, national officials

Republican Representative Brian Mast, 18th Congressional District

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $30,656 to Mast’s 2016 and 2018 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

Republican Representative Francis Rooney, 19th Congressional District

I pray for the victims, their families, and the first responders on the scene of today’s tragic shooting. It is important that we know the details of today’s events so that we can adequately assess ways to prevent future attacks

Democratic Representative Alcee Hastings, 20th Congressional District

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $1,000 to Hastings’ 2000 House campaign in the form of direct contributions.

Democratic Representative Lois Frankel, 21st Congressional District

The #StonemanShooting is so sad, almost beyond words. It is even more shocking when it hits so close to home. I am thankful for the brave first responders. My foremost thoughts are with the families and school personnel affected by this horrific shooting.

I stand with my community and our families and ask all Americans to keep the victims and their loved ones in their prayers this evening. No American should have to feel the pain that Broward County is feeling tonight. We cannot allow this epidemic of gun violence to continue.

There are not enough words to express how my heart hurts for the 17 families that lost a beloved child sent off to school this morning with the full expectation that he or she would return home safely in the afternoon.

Outraged by this horrific act of violence in Parkland. Thankful for the first responders who acted quickly to protect students, faculty, and staff. Keeping the victims and their families in my thoughts as law enforcement continues their investigation.

The NRA’s PACs gave a total of $31,999 to Diaz-Balart’s 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 House campaigns in the form of direct contributions or independent expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo, 26th Congressional District

.@RepCurbelo: “Thinking of the victims and all those affected by the shooting in Parkland today. We must do better to keep our schools and communities safe from gun violence.”

Tragically, the Parkland shooting shows that we need to do more to protect the lives of innocent Americans. #Congress must immediately vote on commonsense bills to help improve #school safety, ban bump stocks, pass no-fly, no-buy, prohibit long #gun purchase for under 21s pic.twitter.com/rlwUt9zXKx